Hurricane Thoughts? Keep Your Fingers Crossed…

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricane Thoughts? Keep Your Fingers Crossed…

With two months of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season already over with, it might seem like that activity in the tropics has been pretty quiet. Butis it unusual?

By this time in the year, there are typically about four named storms, according to the National Hurricane Center. So far, there have been only three named storms (Alex, Bonnie and Colin), so activity is only slightlybelow average

 Meteorologists say there are a variety of reasons why the past two months have been a bit sluggish.

Here’s what’s causing slower activity in the tropics:

1.) The high pressure system normally found over Bermuda this time of year is farther north. This clockwise circulation, near the Azores west of Europe, is dragging dry air down from Europe.

2.) Saharan dust. While there’s less than there was a month ago, the dry and windy air it causes is also inhibiting storm formation.

3.) High winds across the Atlantic basin.

 The peak of the season comes around September 10. There’s another reason why this season may seem slower — recent hurricane seasons have been so much more active than average.

Below are the definitions of tropical weather systems:

• Tropical depression: Weaker systems with winds of 38 miles per hour or less
• Tropical storm: Winds reach 39 mph or higher, at which point the storm is officially named
• Hurricane: Winds reach 74 mph or higher. Hurricanes keep the same names they earned when they reached “tropical storm” status

As the leading storm remediation and restoration company in Sussex County; SERVPRO stands ready to assist should this slow pattern take a fast turn toward more severity.  Call us with any needs or questions at 302-856-9768.